Fan Fiction

A/N: This story begins at the very end of the fifth season episode "Livia". None of these events actually happened on the show; it is complete fiction. I do not take any credit for this TV show. I just want to say that it (the show) is really cool, and I was very sad when I heard it was ending. This is my tribute to the show, and there will be sequels coming.

-Joan

"Commander Of The Legions"

I watched the fight taking place below me in the great Roman arena. I wasn't supposed to be here. I was too young to be at an arena match unchaperoned, but I had to go. For today was my one and only chance to see the great Livia in action.

Livia was my idol. She had done more for Rome than any warrior before her. I longed to be like her; a great warrior, a legend.

And now I was here, watching my role model in action. But even though this was what I had wanted, I was so stunned I was hardly there.

For the woman she was fighting.....

the woman claimed to be Xena.

No, she didn't claim to be Xena, she was Xena. Somehow, even I who was so young knew that this was the warrior princess my father told stories of. The warrior princess who supposedly died more than a decade before my birth.

Xena knocked Livia to the ground. A hush fell over the crowd, myself included. This was impossible. Livia could not be beaten! No! No! She was invincible. For she was Livia, commander of the legions. Hadn't she said so herself?

"Livia, Commander of the legions of Rome is here, has her champion. Announce the match."

I heard a roar from the crowd and looked away-gladly-from Livia's defeated form on the ground. The Emperor had stood, and raised his thumb to call the match.

So Xena had chosen mercy!

But why? There had to be some motive. No, the warrior princess would never let such a dangerous foe live without some good reason....

Would she?

Xena lowered a hand to help Livia, her enemy, up off the dirt. Livia angrily smacked her hand aside.

Pure defiance.

She spoke angrily. Even to this day, I have no idea what she said. All I know is what happened next.

She whirled and was gone, seemingly vanishing without a trace. But here hatred for Xena and all she represented still hung heavy in the air.

"You!!!"

Oh, no. It was one of the guards. Livia's guards, no less. They'd have me killed.....or worse.

Yes, there are things worse than death.

So I ran.

I ran straight out of the stands, the arena, running for life....and the mystery. The mystery of why Xena had let Livia live. And the mystery of why, despite that fact, Livia still hated Xena.

I needed to know.

So as I burst into the sunny streets, I silently promised myself, We will meet again, Livia.